As a live-music contractor Frank Lamphere came up with the name Rat Pack Jazz to describe his performance content and style.
Frank Lamphere, backed by one of the best jazz-show bands in the world, performs swinging jazz standards, Frank & Dean and 1930-60s pop. Frank's "Rat Pack Jazz" band is assembled from incredibly talented, industry renowned musicians, who have toured the world and continue to wow big crowds at jazz events. They all have "license" to add their powerful stamp to Frank's show. This alone makes for many memorable and potentially magical musical moments during a Rat Pack Jazz performance"
Rat Pack Jazz has the "right" combination of great songs, first-rate performances, superb sound quality and perhaps above all, great pacing. Listenable yet entertaining. And, as serious an event as a Rat Pack Jazz live performance is, there is no pretentiousness. Frank and his band are able to laugh at a missed note or false start. They're not in a recording studio even though at times the music is so good that it may seem like a CD is playing. Example right (here)
Frank Lamphere's musical performance philosophy can be summed up in a few sentences.
"The mix is about 80-85% vocals to instrumentals. The instrumentals you'll experience are tasteful. They are invented in the moment. Of course! These musicians are great impromptu soloists
"Like a creative musician, I try to sing a song differently each time."
"The band must be outstanding. Only the highest caliber of jazz musician (subjective, I know) with many years of professional experience, will ordinarily be on my bandstand. This music is very complex. If there is even one musician in the band that is less capable, the whole thing goes down in quality".
"The sound has to be equally excellent. I'm referring to equipment such as microphones, speakers, EQ, mixers, keyboards etc... This is an aspect that is severely misunderstood by many in the business."
"My goal while performing is to entertain, to earn the attention and to create the right musical setting (whether show or background) for those present."
"I have my own sound and style. Sure, my approach to certain elements of singing will undoubtedly have some Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Jack Jones in them, but I have gotten beyond the impersonation phase of my career. There is never anybody better than the original artist, and I prefer not to attempt that. Unless it's for a laugh. Laughs are good!”
